McRae Family Legacy

“We shall lend and not Borrow”

What is a legacy?A legacy is the spiritual or physical properties (possessions) that one leaves behind for future generations. It is what a person(s) is best known for and can be either good or bad.

So far the McRae’s have been fairly successful in passing along our spiritual legacy. But we have fallen short in many other areas. It is time for a change. God gave me this gift many years ago and recently he has been pressuring me to present this idea to the McRae family in its entirety.

What the legacy is intended to doThe legacy is intended to provide financial, emotional and physical support. It is intended to encourage, advise, guide, lead, instruct, intervene, stand for/up for or anything that propels or perpetuates the growth, success and endurance of our family. This list in non- exhaustive

The family legacy is premised on four principles: Support, Respect, Unity and Responsibility. Each principle is powered and propelled by SELFLESSNESS.

SELFLESSNESS- INSTEAD OF THINKING ABOUT HOW YOU AND YOURS WILL DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO WE THINK ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR EACH OTHER TO THE BENEFIT AND SUSTAINING OF THE FAMILY.

The Four PrinciplesIf implemented properly the legacy should provide:

Support- Physical, Financial, emotional. The financial aspect although a major component, is just one aspect of the legacy.

Respect-If the legacy is successful it should accomplish the teaching of respect for ourselves, our families and for others

Unity- It should help build solidarity (cohesiveness) bound by blood, love and forgiveness.

Responsibility- Assist in demonstrating or gaining responsibility to ourselves, our immediate families, our extended families and to the community.

Support

EmotionalFinancial

Physical

Respect

For Others

For Self

For Family

UnitySolidarity

Forgiveness

Responsibility

To extended members of the family

For Self and Immediate. Family

To the Community

Selflessness

Selflessness

Selflessness

Selflessness

The McRae Legacy

Blood

The Set Up

The family legacy is to be taken seriously. It is a lifelong commitment to one another. It is a pledge to our ancestors, our children and future generations. It should be run as a business or corporation in which we all have a major stake. A commitment must be made by everyone. This could be accomplished through contract, oath or both. But a commitment needs to be made nonetheless.

The Elders

A panel of decision makers should be established. I think these people should be grandma and granddaddy’s children. I like to call them the elders. These people are responsible for major decisions that will be made, including but not limited to rules of the legacy, investments, loans, major disciplinary courses of action and so on. Because the legacy is a new venture nothing has yet been established and nothing is written in stone. There should also be a system of checks and balances, audits and reviews but this also has not been established. There are many ways to establish this panel of elders. It could be through nominations or elections. Either way the manner in which the elders are to be selected should be put to a vote and decided upon by the family.

The elders are a very pivotal component of the legacy. They are the leaders and covering of the family. They will be the ones (especially the first group of elders) to establish by-laws, rules, guidelines, principles and altogether set precedent in the operation of the legacy. That is not to say that this is solely without consent of the family (refer to checks and balances) but they will be the ones who decide what needs to be. Because of this we need to “keep it real with ourselves.” If we have not matured to the point whereas we do not fit the criteria of being an elder than we should not be in such a pivotal role.

Other RolesEvery one should have a role within the legacy. Just because your talents do no lie in one area does not justify not using them in other areas. And each and every one of us has a talent. Other roles that I have identified that will be useful are:

Ethics Review PanelHistorianEmergency ManagementProjects and Planning Committee(s)Financial Review Board and Investors

This list is non-exhaustive. As we undertake this initiative we may find that other roles need to be fulfilled.

The Financial Aspect

For some reason when I present this idea the primary focus tends to be in this area. Falling prey to this limited thinking does not serve the legacy in any capacity. We do not want this to become a flaw in a flawless design. With that being said it is reasonable that we all have a part and a ROI. Each family should have to pay annual and monthly dues. This should not be some unrealistic or unattainable amount that causes us to throw up our hands and give up. This financial pledge should be taken seriously. The treasurer should document payments received by family members. Finances are not necessarily open for discussion to the family at large. That is not to say that you cannot voice your opinions or concerns. But financial decisions will be left up to the investors and the elders. They have the final word on how the money should be used or invested. You may or may not like the decisions that they make. We need quarterly meetings and annual updates. We should all meet at least once a year for a state of the Legacy Address.

What the legacy is not

The legacy is not a welfare system. It is not one that is intended to become dependant or bicker over. In fact the opposite affect should take place. If it does not then we are doing something wrong. We are not a gang, cult or clan. We are a family!